Federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has cancelled Novak Djokovic’s visa for entry into the country, with the Australian Open champion now again facing deportation, subject to an appeal hearing in the Federal Court on Sunday
The Serbian world number one’s Australian visa was cancelled by Minister Hawke just days before the start of the Australian Open on the basis his presence could “excite anti-vaccination sentiment”.
Minister Hawke last night exercised a personal power to cancel Djokovic’s visa, likely to result in his deportation and putting him out of contention for the grand slam tournament barring an unlikely Court victory.
The decision means that Djokovic could be effectively barred from re-entering Australia for three years unless he can show in future bids that compelling circumstances exist, such as compassionate or Australian national interest grounds.
In a statement, Minister Hawke said he cancelled the visa “on health and good order grounds … on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so”.
He added that Djokovic could be perceived as a “talisman of a community of anti-vaccine sentiment” - a decision that was legally invalid according to tennis champion lawyers
Minister Hawke’s letter to Djokovic’s legal team outlines his reasons why it was in the “public interest” to exercise his personal powers under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the tennis champion’s visa.
That was despite Djokovic’s lawyers writing to the Minister on Tuesday, arguing it was not in the public interest to deport him because he was not a health risk, had not contravened any Australian law, and was a “person of good standing, and a diplomat of the nation of Serbia”.
The lawyers continued “in addition to being the best tennis player in the world, he is known for his philanthropic efforts, including his generous donations towards coronavirus relief, as well as towards Australian bushfire relief.
“Cancelling Mr Djokovic’s visa would likely to adversely affect Australia’s global reputation and call into question its border security principles and policies.
“Cancelling Mr Djokovic’s visa would prejudice Australia’s economic interests, and jeopardise the viability of Australia continuing to host the Australian Open.”
The defence also noted that Minister Hawke’s reason for cancelling Djokovic’s visa as of yesterday was “radically different” from the reason for the first cancellation, arguing there was was “no rational basis” for the conclusion, in part because Hawke failed to consider the effect of Minister Djokovic’s removal.
Tennis Australia and the Australian Open
If Djokovic is deported, Tennis Australia will be forced to amend its draw for the first round of the Australian Open, which starts on Monday.
With Australian Open organisers being widely criticised for encouraging Djokovic over recent months to believe he could enter the country with a medical exemption while not being clear about his vaccination status, there have been calls for the Tennis Australia board and Tennis Australia Chief Executive and Australian Open Tournament Director, Craig Tiley to resign.
Image: Novak Djokovic at the US Open. Credit: Shutterstock.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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